Liam Narcys, Brad Broughton help Lockleys to A grade flag, while Chad Hamilton overcomes injury to star in B grade premiership
They’ve dealt with lost family members, injuries and career-ending decisions, but three premierships in one day and the end of a decades-long A-grade drought have finally rewarded Lockleys.
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Lockleys footballer Chad Hamilton lost his number one supporter two months ago.
His dad, John Hamilton, died of lung cancer after a six-month battle.
The tough year off the field was helped by some on-field success after Hamilton kicked three goals for the Demons in their division five reserves grand final win against Kenilworth on Saturday.
“It was great to get that win after having a very tough year, family wise,” Hamilton said.
“It was fantastic to get around the family, take a few photos and enjoy the moment.
“Dad was always my number one supporter so it was a bit tough not having him there, so this was for him.
“My mum was at the game, unfortunately my brother couldn’t be there because he lives in West Perth.
“I tried not to cry when I saw mum after the game but it was a beautiful moment.”
Playing in a winning a flag almost didn’t happen for the full forward.
He was all but set to watch from the sidelines after fracturing his ankle playing with the club’s A grade during the final minor round against West Croydon on August 29.
But he managed to get through Thursday’s training session and was selected in the team that beat Kenilworth by 37 points.
The B grade’s triumph followed the club’s C5 team prevailing in its grand final against Salisbury by 76 points and before the A grade claimed the flag, beating Kenilworth by one point.
“It’s been unreal with the club winning three flags,” Hamilton said.
“On Tuesday night I wasn’t a shot at actually playing as I had fractured my ankle and I was meant to be out for six weeks.
“But luckily got through the last Thursday night training with a bit of magic there.”
The Demons’ A grade, meanwhile, had only lost one game all season but was down by five points in the flag decider against the Kookaburras with about four minutes remaining.
Then enter Liam Narcys.
Narcys became the match winner after getting on the end of a nice handball chain to boot the winning goal.
The 8.10 (58) to 8.9 (57) victory was Lockleys’ first A Grade premiership since 1993.
“I just saw the ball coming over and we kind of had the one extra (player),” Narcys, who was now likely to retire, said.
“It was handball, handball, kick, handball and I was just in the goalsquare and was lucky enough to get the handball over from my full-forward.
“It was probably my only kick for the day and it was a good one.
“When we got in front there was probably still about 30 seconds to go, so we were still focusing on the game and trying to make sure we won it out of the middle.
“With the pressure of the C grade and B grade winning it was all left to us so it was really good we got three flags.
“To win a flag in 2020 and probably retire after it is really good.”
Brad Broughton was awarded the best-on-ground medal after the A grade victory and conceded he almost played in the Bs with his brothers Justin and Tyson Broughton.
But is pleased he listened to his coaches who convinced him to line up with the A grade.
“The best-on-ground win just feels like I did my job, I guess, and that I was a big part of the team,” Broughton said.
“I played B grade for most of the year with them but then got picked in the As the last couple weeks of the season.
“I had to make a decision as to which team I played in for the grand final.
“It was a difficult decision but I just wanted to do what was best for the club and I’m happy I decided to play As in the end.”